Improvement in treadle attachments for sewing-machines



a. 7K. MABADAM, Traadle-Attachments for sewing-machines;

Patented July 7, 1 874.

GRAPHIC CB UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

ROBERT K. MACADAM, OF MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT m TREADLE ATTACHMENTS FOR SEWING-MACHIINES.

Specification forming part cfLctters Patent No. 152,756, dated July 7,1574 application filed April 8, 1874. 7

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT K. ll/IACADAM, of Medford, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvementsin Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front view of my improvementapplied to a sewing-machine frame. Fig. 2 is a transverse section takenin line X Y, showing a side view of my improvement on an enlarged scale.Fig. 3 is a perspective view, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section,showing on an enlarged scale a side view of a modification embodying thegeneral principles of my improvement. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectionthrough. the treadle, and Fig. 7 is a transverse section through thedriving-shaft, showing a side view of modifications embodying thegeneral principles of my improvement.

The object of the present invention is to effect an improvement in themethod of operating sewing-machines, whereby the use of foot-powerheretofore required in operating the treadle and the consequent injuryto the operator resulting therefrom are obviated; and to these ends myimprovement consists mainly in a hand-lever arranged to connect with andoperate the driving-shaft or axle of a sewing-machine, either by hand orfoot power or by hand-power alone, as I will now proceed to describe.

In the drawings, A represents a sewingmachine stand, provided with adriving-wheel, B, gear-wheel G, and driving-shaft or axle D, the latterformed with a crank, a. Engaging with this crank, so as to operate it,is one end of an arm or rod, E, whose lower end is pivoted to theforward portion of a treadle, F, formed with downward flanges or sidesI) b, or otherwise arranged to connect with a shaft or axle, G,supported in the sides of the machine-frame, or otherwise arranged toallow the up-and-down movement of the treadle, with which is connected,by screws 0 or otherwise, the bottom or bent portion h of a handlever,H, bent at the top to form a handle, H, by which the operator actuatesthe lever H,

so as to operate the treadle, and consequently the arm or rod E, andturn the crank it and rotate the driving-shaft D and machinery connectedtherewith.

By the arrangement above described it will be seen, reference being hadto the drawings, that the treadle may be operated either by hand or footpower, as preferred.

Instead of the arrangement above described and shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings, various modifications embodying the same generalprinciples of my improvement may be adopted, either for operating thedrivingaxle by hand-power alone, or in connection with the foot-treadleor treadle-axle. Some of these modifications are shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6,and 7 of the drawings, and I will now proceed to describe thearrangement and operation of each in course.

In Figsl? and 4 the rod or arm E is arranged as in Figs. 1 and 2, butthe lever H is attached to the side at the rear of the treadle F, fromwhich it projects laterally and extends forward to receive and turn onthe treadle shaft or axle G, and extends uprightly, and is bent orformed at the top with a haudle, H, by which the treadle anddriving-axle are operated as in the previous example.

In Fig. 6 the treadle F is provided at the rear with a sideupward-extending arm or rod, E, that connects at the top with the cranka of the driving-axle D, and has pivoted to its lower portion ahorizontal arm or rod, E, whose other end is pivoted to a hand-lever, H,which is pivoted at g to the side of the machine-frame, and operates thetreadle and driving-axle as before.

In Fig. 7 the driving-axle is operated entirely independent of thetreadle, which, in this modification, may, if desired, be dispensedwith. In the present modification the lever H is pivoted at the bottomto the forward side portion of the machine-frame, and extends upwardabove the driving-axle, whose crank a extends through so as to turn in aslot, f, formed in the lever H, which, at the top, is bent to extendtoward the operator, and is formed with a lateral handle, by which theit, as shown, and may be otherwise bent or formed, as desired.

Heretofore, sewing' machines have been arranged to -be operated by ahandle connected with the wheel; but in this method of handpower thewheel is located above the top of the stand, making it awkward andlaborious for the operator tore'ach up and operate the wheel. In thepresent arrangements the handlever is convenientlyarranged, and at aheight to allow the operators hand to rest in a natural and easyposition, and may be easily operated with very little exertion, so thateven a child may operate it without fatigue, as has been proved byactual and frequent experience.

Having thus fully described my improvements, what I claim as myinvention, and desire to have secured to me by Letters Patent,

In combination with the treadle F, the lever H H, as and for thepurpose'descril'led.

In testimonywhereof Iliave signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing. witnesses.

ROBERT K. MAOADAM.

Witnesses CARROLL D. WRIGHT, SAML. M. BARTON.

